Field trial and spectral allocation analysis of transparent heterogeneous digital coherent and analog radio over fiber mmWave/sub-THz signals over a live production network

We perform a field trial of end-to-end transmission of heterogeneous signals: digital coherent optical (DCO) channels up to 600 Gbps and analog radio-over-fiber (ARoF) carriers at 60 GHz (mmWave) and 210 GHz (sub-THz), across the HEAnet live production metro network, leveraging optical spectrum-as-a-service and a laboratory-based passive optical network. We then perform wavelength-dependent performance characterization of ARoF carriers across the 50 GHz ITU-T channel grid within the C-band, measuring the pre-FEC bit-error rate (BER). The channel whose BER lies within the acceptable FEC threshold is selected as the optimum spectral slot for co-launching ARoF with background WDM traffic. This analysis enables optimization of the spectrum allocation, enhancing performance, throughput, and spectral efficiency, and shows the seamless coexistence of analog and digital traffic services.